BILL NUMBER: S7423
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to promoting
the New York state craft beverage industry
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill Is to promote New York State labelled liquor,
beer, cider, and mead in the by establishing annual retailer awards as
already provided for wine.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This bill would establish, in cooperation with the Commissioner of Agri-
culture and Markets and the State Liquor Authority, procedures for
proposing to the governor nominations for annual awards to be known as
"New York State Liquor Retailers Awards," "New York State Beer Retailers
Awards," "New York State Cider Retailer Awards," and "New York State
Mead Retailers Awards," These non-monetary awards would be given in
recognition efforts made by restaurants, and/or retailers licensed to
sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption, to inform consum-
ers as to the availability, diversity and excellence of liquors, beer,
cider, and mead made in the state from products grown in the state and
feature these products. Annually, up to three awards could be made per
category.
 
JUSTIFICATION:.
This bill seeks to recognize and promote New York State labelled
liquors, beer, cider, and mead in the same manner as wine. The New York
State wine retailer awards program was established in 1984 and cele-
brates the New York wine industry, this would provide recognition of all
of New York's craft beverage industry. In the last decade, NYS farm
labelled liquor, beer, cider and mead has seen tremendous growth. New
York State labelled alcoholic beverages are required to use products
grown and harvested from New York's agricultural sector and this bill
provides recognition of a New York State craft beverage producer's
success.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
90 days after becoming law.